Concentrator



(No Model.) -3 Sheets-Shet 1.

S. BERTENSHAW.

GONGENTRATOB.

No. 445,154. Patented Jan. 27, 1891.

J Whm (N0 Model.) '3 She8tS--S1168t 2.

S. BERTENSHAW.

GONOENTRATOR.

No. 445,154. Patented Jan. 27, 1891.

l Witnesses (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

S. BERTENSHAW.

GONGENTRATOR N0. 445,154. Patented Jan. 27, 1891.

mvwttoz I I mtozwu NHE STATES PATENT OFFICE,

SILAS BERTENSILUV, OF BLACK ILUVK, COLORADO.

CONCENTRATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,154, dated January 2'7, 1891.

Application filed April 6, 1888. Serial No, 269,784. (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg concern:

Be it known that I, SILAS BERTENSHA'W, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Black Hawk, in the county of Gilpin and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Concentrators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that class of ore concentrators and separators in which concentration is effected by distributing the crushed ore upon a horizontal or an inclined table or trough, the separation of the heavier and metal-bearing particles from the lighter portion or gangue being accomplished by means of continuous oscillations or reciprocations with sudden jarring or bumping movements imparted mechanically to the table or trough, the ore mixed with water being fed thereon and the concentrates discharged therefrom at the upper end or head, while the refuse or gangue passes off over the tail end.

The objects of my invention are to furnish a concentrator of economical construction, durable and reliable in operation, readily and easily adjustable in its various parts, obviating waste of valuable ore, and arranged to have with each swing or reciprocation the proper concussive or jarring blow to accomplish the desired result of the delivery of the concentrated valuable ore at one end of the table or trough and of the gangue at the other end; to which ends the invention consists in the features and combinations, more particularly hereinafter described and claimed.

A concentrator or separator embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of such a concentrator; Fig. 2, a top view thereof; Figs. S, i, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, details of construction. Fig. 13 is a perspective of the machine. Fig. 14c is a perspective view of the hangers with portions broken away, showing the knifesupporting edges. Fig.15 is a perspective of the upper part of one of the standards, showin g the laterally-proj ectin g frame, knife-edge support, and part of the torsion-spring and its regulating means.

In the drawings, the reference'numerals 1 1 indicate the standards at the tail end, and 2 2 those at the head, from which the table or trough 3 is suspended by means of the suspension-rods 28. Said uprights 1 1 and 2 2 are connected by braces to the longitudinally extending bu m per-block S, as shown in Fig. 13.

As shown in Fig. 2, the concentrating table or trough 3 is formed of two equal and similar longitudinal compartments l 1-, each having the customary sides 5 5 and tail end or bar 6 rising a little distance above the general plane of the table or trough, so as when the head of the table is properly raised to hold thereon a supply of water. Each compartment is a single homogeneous iron casting.

\Vhen' the tables are of wood, orof copper, or of wood lined with copper, and the table is oscillated, receiving a blow at each oscillation, the only movement given the material is the throw from such blow. \Vhen, however, a table of cast-iron strikes the bumper, there is not only this throw from the bumper, but all the particles, the units of the mass of iron of the table itself are thrown into vibration, the mass being given a tremulousness continuing from blowto blow,an d this is communicated to the material thereon as the vibrations of the glass plate are communicated to the sand upon it, and this I have found aids materially in the separation desired; hence my use of cast-iron for such tables. Furthermore, by making the table of cast-iron it is more sensitive to the bump or jar than when madeof rolled metal, whether steel, iron, or copper, as the vibration passes through without any tendency to buckle, which buckling when it takes place weakens the force of the jar or bump and results in a less perfect effect on the separation of the mineral from the gangue ore.

Another advantage resulting from the castiron is this: Shcetiron and sheet-steel will buckle and getout of shape, and as the grain of rolled plates is longitudinal, the mineral,

with the liberated acid, has a tendency to follow the grain of the metal and cut through, giving it the appearance of worm-eaten wood, and thus injuring or destroying its usefulness. The grain of cast-iron, however, havin g a vertical tendency to its surface, does not appear to be acted upon by the motion of the concentrated mineral or the liberated sulphuric acid.

By the cast-iron tablel am also enabled to dispense with the head-water employed generally in concentrators, and I thereby save the fine rich slimes which are kept-back and lost when the head-water is used.

The compartments 4 4: are united to form the table 3 by bolts passing through one side of each to a midrib 7 common to both compartments. Such rib 7 projects beyond the head of the table to form a bumper, taking at its end against the stationary longitudinally-extending bumper-block 8 to give the desired blow or jar to the table. If desired, means of a'dj ustment may be added to one of the bu mpers, so as to vary the amount of swing or oscillation to be permitted to the table. For instance, a bolt may be seated in one to be turned to project a greater or a less distance, or one bumper end may be longitudinally divided, the two parts sliding upon each other and being adj ustably secured together in position by bolts or screws, or upon the head of one or both strips, or veneers of any suitable material, as old belting, leather, or rubber, may be secured.

To give the greatest possible ease and freedom of movement to the bearings for the t-able, so as to economize power in the movement thereof, all such bearings are made as knife-edge bearings, and the suspension-rods are adjustably secured to such bearings, in order that the inclination of the table or trough may be varied and adjusted as necessary, as will now be described.

Upon the upper end of each standard is a frame 20, projecting upon and from the interiorthereof. Such framemay be cast orformed integral with its standard or be a separate piece secured thereto. Upon the interior of the walls of this frame and projecting into the aperture in the frame is a flange or step 21, upon which rests the bearing-frame 22, apertured in its center and having the bearing-notches 23 23 cut into or formed in the faces of the opposite ends, the knife-bearing edges 25 taking in such notched bearings. These knife-edges 25 are formed as wings or projections from a central hub 24, two such bearings preferably being formed in one piece or integrally with each hub, so that as one bearing becomes worn the hub may be reversed and a new and fresh bearing brought into use. Such hubs and bearings are secured 'upon the ends of the cross-arm 26, one on either end thereof, and such securement maybe by shrinking the hubs upon the ends of the arm or by any other suitable means or method. The length of an arm 26 is just such that whenthe hubs and attached bearings are secured thereon the arm 26 shall straddle the aperture in frame 22 and permit the bearings to rest in the notches or seats 23. Such notches or seats may extend only partially across the faces of the end walls, in

. the other.

which case the uncut portion of such walls would be upon the outer edges and form guards, prcventinglateral displacement of the bearings. 1f cut entirely across the face, the walls of frame 20 should be sufficiently high to form such guards when frame 22 is placed in position upon the flange 21 within the frame 20. The arm 26 has a central aperture 27, through which passes a suspension-rod 28, on whose end is a threaded nut for the purpose of adjusting said rod. Similar bearings are arranged for the lower ends of the suspension-rods, which is done by securing frames 20 to the table at proper points thereon, the frames 20 in such case being arranged so that the flange 21 is at the top of the frame, the bearing-frame 22 being held therein by the bearings 24 25, placed beneath and held in position by the suspension-rod.

To give the proper reciprocation or movement to the table, the following devices are employed: At the tail of the machine a shaft 10 is journaled in suitable bearings and carries at one end aband-wheellti or equivalent means for communicating motion to the shaftv from some suitable prime motor. (Not shown.) Secured upon this shaft is a cam 9,preferabl y a double-winged cam or one having two bearing-surfaces, so as to take twice in each revolution upon its coacting part. Secured at the tail of the table, or in such position that the cam shall take or pass therein and strike against the tail end thereof, is a box 11. The cam-faces taking against such tail end carry the box, and of course the table, a distance sufficient to enable the cam to pass clear of the box. Such distance, and of. course the amount of throw given to the table, may be varied, and the end of the box at the same time be protected from wear by introducing and securing therein more or less of shoes 12, one of which is shown in the drawings as introduced into box llas an illustration thereof. The standards 1 1 are connected at their top by a cross head or brace 29, across whose face extends an angular torsion-spring rod 13, which near its ends passes loosely through apertures in lugs, ears, or brackets formed upon or secured to the standards 1 1, so that lateral or vertical displacement of the springrod is prohibited. At either end the bar is fastened by a clamp 14, bent over into U shape, (see Fig. 4,) with one limb longer than A bolt 15 passes through the two limbs, holding them together near the free end of the shorter limb and causing them to grip tightly and hold firmly the spring-rod 15. In the larger limb and near its free end is seated a set or adjusting screw 17, which passes through such limb and takes at one end thereof against a standard 1, preferably against the rib or stem thereof, as such standards for rigidity are preferably made in the shape of T-beams having a web and a rib or stem tapering from base to top. Then as these set-screws 17 at either end are turned in one direction or the other a greater or a less degree of twist is given to the rod, which then has a corresponding torsional force. At a point over the box 11 an arm 18 is firmly clamped upon the spring-rod and has its free or depending end extending into such box, so

as to take and bear against the head end thereof. Then as the cam forces the table to the rear the arm 18 at its free end is likewise carried to the rear, giving, by reason of its clamping to the rod 13, additional twist thereto. As soon as the cam is freed from its bearing the torsion of the spring-rod, acting through the arm 18 upon the table, throws the latter quickly and forcibly in the reverse direction until the movement of the table stopped by the impact of the buffers or bumpers T and 8, such stoppage being accompanied by a blow or jar, which tends to throw the heavier material to the head of the table. To further adjust this twist of the rod and its torsional force, wedges 19 may be introduced between the free end of the arm 18 and the end of box 1 l, increasing or diminishing, according to the number used, the normal twist of the rod.

Upon the standards 2 2 are secured arms 31 31, between the lower ends of which is secured the hopper-box for distributing the material or mingled crushed ore and water upon the table, the material being conveyed to the hopper-box by any suitable chute or con duits (one or more) and discharged into the box by one or more ends thereof. At the other end of these arms and between the hop per-box and head of the table is secured a clear-waterfeed-box to feed or distribute,when desired, clear water upon the table for the purpose of washing down any gangue or light stuif which may have worked upward from beneath the hop per-box. To prevent the rapid or forcible discharge from such clear-water box, it should be divided longitudinally into two compartments, into one of which having an imperforate bottom should lead and discharge the water-supply pipe, the water from such compartment overflowing into the other compartment provided with a perforated bottom, whence the water issues or drops onto the table in a gentle and effective stream.

Suitable and properly-arranged braces may be used uniting the standards and stiffening the framing, examples being shown in Fig. 1, the braces 34 extending diagonally between the standards on each side, braces 35 extending diagonally from the rear standards to the center of the head beneath the table.

The bumper-block 8 extends down and under the table and runs back to the rear thereof, as shown, and serves to brace and strengthen the structure as the uprights or standards 1 and 2 may be connected thereto, as illustrated.

\Vithin the standards guide-blocks 37 are bolted, guiding the table and keeping it in proper relation and position between the standards.

It is evident that many of the features of my invention may be used with a concentrating-table having but one compartment, a single homogeneous casting with sides and tail ends, as is either of the compartments 4 at. In such case the midrib 7 would not be used upon the top of the table, but a bumper or buffer would be formed by bolting or securing a part of such rib beneath the table or upon a suitable support thereon, while the box 11 or equivalent devices for receiving the action of the cam l) and arm 18 depending from spring-torsion 1-3 would be secured upon the table or on a proper support therefor placed thereon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim 'is 1. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a frz'uning, a table, arms sustaining said table, bearings upon said arms permitting the table to swing, a cam for moving the table in one direction, means for rotating the cam, and a torsional spring-rod secured at its ends upon the framing and connected at its center by a depending arm to the table to move it in the other direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In an oreconcentrator, the combination of a framing, a table, arms sustaining said table, bearings at the ends of said arm, each bearing consisting of two knife-edges united by an arm 26, adjustably secured to the sustaining-arm, a bearing-frame receiving the knifeedges, and means for reciprocating the table, substantially as set forth.

3. In an ore-concentrator, the combination, with the framing, the table, and the arms sustaining the table, of pivotal or rocking bearings, each consisting of a frame 20 receiving the centrally-apertured bearing-plate 22, provided with bearings 23, and two knifeedges 25, united by arm 26 and fitting upon a sustaining arm or rod 28, substantially as set forth.

4. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a framing, a swinging table, arms sustaining the table from the framing, a cam and means for rotating the cam, a torsional springrod adj ustably clamped at either end, and an arm clamped to the center thereof and depending therefrom and taking against a projection upon the table, substantially as set forth.

5. In an ore-concentrator, a table formed of cast-iron with its sides and bottom made integral and east in one continuous piece, whereby a tremulousness may be imparted to the units of the mass composing the table, in combination with means for vibrating said table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In an ore-concentrator, the combination, with the cast-iron table composed of two compartments 4, each having sides 5 formed integrally with the bottom of the compartment, of the longitudinally-intervening timber or rib 7, having said compartments secured to opposite sides thereof, said intermediate timher or rib serving as a bumper, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In an ore-concentrator, the combination, with the uprights l and 2, the longitudinallyextending bumper-block 8, having said uprights braced thereto, of the cast-iron table, the rib 7, projecting beyond the head of the table, and means suspending said table from the uprights, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of the standards, sustaining-rods 28, table 3, bearings 25, cam 9, torsion-spring 13, arm 18, box 11, and rib 7, substantially as set forth.

9. In an ore-concentrator, the combination, with the table and supporting-frame, of hangers having knife-edge bearings at opposite ends and connecting said table and frame to suspend the table from the frame, a torsional sprin gextending transversely across the frame and having an arm connecting it with a portion of the table, and means for reciprocating the table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In an ore-concentrator,the combination, with the table and supporting-frame and means for reciprocating the table, of hangers suspending the table from'the frame, a transverse torsional spring connecting with a portion of the table, and means for adjusting the torsion of the spring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. v

11. In an ore-concentrator, the combination, with the table, means for reciprocating the table, and the supporting-standards, of the frames projecting laterally from the standards, the frames projecting laterally from the table, and the sustaining-rods or hangers provided at their upper portion with knife-bearings supported by said lateral frames and at theirlower portion with knife-hearings taking against the lower face of the lateral frames to sustain the table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

I11 testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SILAS BERTENSHAIV. Witnesses:

T. F. WILBER, B. L. POLLOCK. 

